Mist Warrior (14 page)

Courcy laughed.
“
He wouldn’t have even known about the place if it had not been for me.
”

“
You wouldn't have known about it if my father had not told you. Either way, does that change the truth of its title?
”

Courcy scowled.

“
Then we shall reside with Branan at Thistlewood
,
until the time Catriona becomes your wife. On/spour wifly then will you have claim to her.
”

“
I don’t believe this! You need me to
—
”

“
So do you now plan to renege on your pact with Branan?
”
Gavin asked.
“
That would be interesting since it is a key point in the betrothal agreement.
”
He almost wished Courcy would default. Without financing, Branan’s cause was lost
,
but Gavin knew Branan would rather see Catriona safe.

Courcy snapped a curse, dragging his hand through his hair.
“
All right,
”
he said through clenched teeth.
“
But the date has been set, I expect my bride to be delivered to her wedding on May Day.
”
He paused, his gaze deadly.
“
And I expect her to be the virginal bride promised to me.
”

Hatred shot through Gavin. This was all because Courcy doubted Catriona’s honor? Then Gavin remembered how Courcy watched Branan and Catriona closely. Did he believe Branan would usurp his marriage rights?

“
Of course,
”
Gavin said through clenched teeth, forcing down his anger. He looked at Duguald.
“
Let us see how my sister and Branan fare and prepare them to leave.
”

Duguald inclined his head and gestured for Gavin to lead the way.

****

Catriona managed to grab two cloaks for her and Branan before they left the keep. Branan once again wore his leather trews and cross-quartered boots with his snug fitting inar. But he did not wear the sleeves, the ties dangled around his bare shoulders. The powerful muscles in his arms flexed as he walked with his fists clenched.

Catriona guided him into the gardens. Snow piled thick on the ground but the sky remained clear and the sun bright, casting a beautiful wintry glow. The air was crisp and fresh. She heard Branan inhale deeply as she wiped the snow from a bench and they sat.

<
His body still shook violently and his breathing remained harsh. Catriona knew only when these signs faded would Branan be truly free of the rage that gripped him. She feared the consequences Branan might suffer for his actions. But in that instant she knew Richard would strike her, seeing Branan so quickly place herself in front of her and send Richard flying warmed a secret place in her heart. He had always been her defender.

Branan sat with his elbows on his knees, his shoulders bowed and his head lowered. He squeezed his eyes shut, his long black hair streaming around his face. She placed the cloak over Branan’s shoulders, then gently stroked her fingers through his hair, tucking a few of the cascading locks behind his ear.

Branan still fought to catch his breath.

She remained silent, knowing from experience
,
her touch helped pull him out of the pit he had fallen into. She turned her hand and lightly caressed his cheek with the back of her fingers.

He made a soft sound, a choking gasp, then suddenly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest. He pressed his lips against the top of her head, stroking her hair with one hand, the other firmly gripping her waist.

Catriona also wrapped her arms tightly around him. The shock at the changes of him assailed her. No longer was he a lanky lad
,
but a giant of a man. She felt the hard mass of muscle which now comprised his body. His broad shoulders seemed to surround her, his heavily sinewed arms engulfed her. She could not stop her hand as it traveled lightly over his chest down to his flat stomach and narrow waist.

Branan didn’t move, he only clung to her.

Her other hand moved up his back and she marveled at the power she felt there too. Long muscles, corded tight, stretched upward and outward across his shoulders. Never had she imagined the wounded youthling she had found in the woods would become such a Goliath.

Slowly
,
his grip eased on her, his breathing growing more steady
,
but his limbs still
trembled
. He backed away enough to look down at her. His eyes shimmered, chaotic and turbulent, as if a tempest had struck the core of the sea-green depths. He lifted his hand to trace along her jaw with a calloused finger. It moved lightly up to her temple
,
where it paused for a long moment
,
then continued to stroke through his hair. His touch was so tender, so full of compassion
,
that it proved a complete contradiction to the power she sensed within him. The warmth of his skin sent a tingle through her where it radiated into the deshe into tpths of her being.

“
Are... are ye sure yer all right, lass?
”
he asked. His voice, a bare whisper, grated harshly in his throat and his Scottish burr sounded almost as thick as Duguald’s.

She smiled up at him.
“
I am fine, Branan.
”

He closed his eyes again, inhaling another deep breath. The shaking of his limbs lessened considerably.
“
I... I thought he’d strike ye,
”
he said as if trying to explain his actions not only to her
,
but to himself.

Catriona understood exactly what had happened and why.
“
I know, Branan,
”
she said and impulsively traced her fingers over his well-shaped lips.

For an instant
,
Branan remained frozen
,
but then caught her hand. He brushed his lips across her fingers then softly kissed her palm. She gasped at the sudden shiver that shot through her.

Branan seemed to come more to his senses, releasing her hand and gazing down at her. For a long moment he stared, his eyes moving over her face as if to memorize every detail. Then he pulled her against his chest again.

“
Catriona
,
forgive me.
”

“
Forgive you?
”
she asked.
“
Richard was being
a
beast for no reason.
”

A low chuckle rumbled through him and Catriona breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he was once again in control. All she had to do was keep him away from Richard.

Branan continued to hold her, remaining silent. Catriona didn’t move, simply enjoying the wonderful peace and the warmth they shared without words.

She heard voices approaching and silently cursed as aray curseBranan pulled away. She straightened and looked at the gates.

Gavin and Duguald entered and Catriona was grateful to note Richard was not with them.

“
Are ye all right, laddie?
”

“
Aye, U
ncle.
”

“
Good,
”
Gavin said.
“
It seems there are to be a few changes.
”
Quickly
,
he explained all that had transpired with Richard.

Catriona swallowed hard. Gavin had made clear his concerns about her impending marriage. She looked at Branan. His expression darkened
,
but his anger did not reappear.

“
Aye, Gavin,
”
he said, his brogue still thick.
“
I must hie myself to Thistlewood afore I strangle the sod.
”
He stood and extended his hand to Catriona.
“
Will ye accompany us, lassie?
”

“
Gladly,
”
she said
,
forcing a smile
,
but her relief was very real. Four months was all she had left of freedom and she planned to savor every moment of it.

Catriona was grateful to arrive at Thistlewood that afternoon
,
but her attention
remained focused on Branan. H
e became quiet and withdrawn, as if he once again stood between reality and the void, unable to return completely. Workers, mercenaries, and craftsmen all approached and greeted him. He returned the pleasantries easily enough
,
but Catriona knew his heart wasn't in it.

She sighed and took her pack with her meager belongings and found an empty shelter
to
call her own. It had a small but comfortable pallet for a bed, clean blankets, an ewer and basin with fresh water waiting
on a table
for her. She quickly put her things away and stepped out. She looked for Branan and saw him duck away from the cleared area, his expression troubled. He vanished into the woods. Terribly worried, she darted after him.

****

Branan strode a few paces into the tree line then stopped. His body still shook. He squeezed his eyes closed. What was wrong with him? The rage had passed
,
but he sensed it was still there...lurking in the black corners of his mind, like a wolf stalking a hart. This had never happened before. Since the time he had nearly beat that lad to death
,
he had managed to control the demon within him,
but now it was stronger than ever and it had absolutely no desire to release its hold on him.

He opened his hands and stared down at them
,
noting their size, strength and roughness.
“
Damnation,
”
he whispered.
“
If I doona control this bloodlust
,
I will kill an innocent.
”

A small, feminine hand appeared and gripped his fingers with surprising strength.
“
Nay, Branan,
”
Catriona said softly, stepping next to him.
“
No matter your rage
,
you will never, ever hurt and innocent.
”

“
Catriona
,
how can ye say that? I was ready tae kill Courcy
,
but he ne'er touched ye.
”
'